i have served with chuck hagel. i know him. he is a patriot. >> reporter: and even with the fiscal cliff fight behind him, the president faces another looming showdown over the nation's debt ceiling, its borrowing limit. today, senate minority leader mitch mcconnell insisted the tax issue is resolved but demanded spending cuts. >> i wish the president would lead us in this discussion rather than putting himself in a position of having to be dragged kicking and screaming to the table to discuss the single biggest issue confronting our future. >> reporter: also tonight, an administration official tells nbc news that the president is likely to name his selection for cia director tomorrow, the person who would replace david petraeus. the two men who are being considered as top candidates right now are the homeland security and counterterrorism adviser to the president, john brennan, and on the left of your screen you see the acting cia head, mike morrall. lester? >> thank you. >>> in addition to the battles over the debt ceiling an